Body Image Impacts Sexual Experiences

Research has found that body image and sexual anxiety are predictive of sexual esteem, sexual assertiveness, and avoidance of sexual activity. The research study contributes to the literature of sexual satisfaction in single women aged 30-50 by studying self-esteem, body image, and sexual knowledge. There is a gap in the literature examining sexual satisfaction within the age group of women 30-50 years of age. Walkers’ findings suggest that recommendations for further studies be conducted to focus on these variables in the level of relationship commitment whether a couple is dating infrequently or they are single. Because the variables of self-esteem, body image, sexual knowledge, and sexual satisfaction using an older population have not been studied collectively, it is not known whether sexual experiences are influenced positively or negatively by self-esteem, body image, and sexual knowledge. Individuals may blame their sexual dissatisfaction on sexual dysfunction.

As a woman becomes more familiar physiologically with her body, she can begin to become more aware of how her body will respond when she is sexually stimulated. Many women seek counseling, and those problems that present in the counseling session are rooted in depression. Research studies have stated that the symptoms of depression stem from unsatisfying relationships. Some women have sought help in counseling guidance for relationship problems that are often sexually based. People are almost totally incapable of experiencing a satisfying sexual relationship, whether it is from intercourse, heavy petting, and so forth, without a positive image of their body or normal level of self-esteem. The literature review describes how the self image of the body is developed and formed by environmental factors. Women shape their body image by many factors such as family influence, friends, and media. Many women compare themselves to what society has set as the ideal. The self-efficacy theory will be applied to the variable of body image, which is the second component of the theoretical framework to support the research study. Women’s beliefs and their capabilities to form either a positive or negative image of the body influence the outcome of their sexual experience. Individuals are more likely to continue their efforts until success is achieved if their perceived self-efficacy is high. Increased self-efficacy has been shown to be related to behaviors associated with weight loss and self image of the body.

The literature review describes the environmental factors that contribute to the development of women’s body image. The self-efficacy theory is applied to support the development of body image and one’s capabilities and beliefs to successfully engage in the possession of a positive body image. The literature review analyzes the studies that have been conducted on women and body image. The dissatisfaction of body image plays a significant role in a woman’s self-esteem and how she perceives herself to the world. The self-efficacy theory can be applied to the development of women’s body image in this research study. The theory refers to one’s beliefs in one’s capabilities to successfully engage in specific behaviors. Therefore, the way a woman feels about her body and if she believes she has a positive image of her body, she will successfully engage in positive behaviors. A person who has a negative or positive body image is affected in their sexual pleasure and its relationship to satisfaction.